Simple Garage Door Care

Many homeowners take the smooth function of their garage door opener system for granted; only paying attention when a malfunction occurs. However there are some very simple care practices which can reduce the risk of major problems developing and increase the lifespan of your door opener.

Check the motion of the door:

The action of automatic garage door openers should be smooth with no snags or jerking. If you notice that your door isn’t moving smoothly, check the garage door springs to make sure that they are not stretched out of shape and the garage door track to make sure it is not bent.

Lubricate:

You should regularly lubricate all the moving parts with a lightweight product. Spray the hinges, pulleys, springs and rollers. It is essential for smooth movement that these garage door parts are adequately lubricated. All these parts do have a limited lifespan, but regular care can extend this to the maximum. Lubricating will also make the function of your door quieter.

Check the safety features:

All modern models of garage doors have a sensor which prevents the door from closing if there is any kind of obstruction. This is essential to prevent injury or damage to your vehicle. It is easy to check if this is functioning properly. Simply place a piece of wood in the path of the fully open door. Engage the door to close. It should reach a certain point and then register the obstruction and return to the fully open position. It is a good idea to be sure that the sensor is free from dirt or other debris, which can hinder its effective function.